Millions of dollars in COVID-19 preparations on the table for Manatee School Board
Less than one week before the start of classes, the School Board of Manatee County will consider more than $2.8 million in COVID-19 preparations.
Doug Wagner, the deputy superintendent of business services, also plans to update the board Tuesday evening on options for rapid COVID-19 testing. A majority of board members are interested in testing employees and possibly students, helping to isolate cases before they spread.
COVID already has become an issue in the schools even before students have arrived. Last week, several schools reported cases of COVID-19 as teachers returned for planning and preparation.
A case at Samoset Elementary School forced six people to isolate for 14 days after a colleague tested positive.
And more cases popped up after that, affecting at least four other schools.
“The most important thing to us is that teachers are given what they need to stay safe,” teacher union president Pat Barber said.
The largest item on Tuesday’s agenda is a request for up to $1.7 million in COVID-19 supplies. That includes hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, antibacterial soap, disinfectant wipes, infrared thermometers, disposable masks, COVID-19 signs and Avistat-D disinfectant.
Tuesday’s agenda also includes a request for up to $800,000 in disinfecting services. The district would use 11 companies, including one in Bradenton and two in Sarasota, to disinfect its schools, vehicles and other district property.
If approved, another $350,000 would pay for needed technology during the pandemic. It would add to the $200,000 already approved for internet hot spots in early June, allowing the district to buy another 1,000 devices for students in need.
Thousands of students signed up for online learning but some lack the needed internet service at home. Tuesday’s request would help to bridge the gap between students and their virtual classes.
All of the requests would come from the district’s general fund, but the cost of supplies and disinfecting services may qualify for reimbursement under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, often referred to as the CARES Act.
Manatee was also eyeing reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, according to the board documents.
Weathering the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a costly endeavor. The School Board approved up to $325,000 to buy cloth masks for all employees and students in early June. Board members then approved up to $350,000 for desk partitions and face shields in late July.
The cost of each rapid testing option has yet to be discussed in public.
Manatee School Board meeting details
Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton. In-person meetings have reopened with a limited capacity. However, residents are still encouraged to watch the meetings and submit comments from home.
Meetings are broadcast live on Spectrum Channel 646, Frontier Channel 39 and www.mstv.us. To submit feedback before the meeting, email public_comment@manateeschools.net.